# CVE-2021-20405: Cross-site scripting in Security Verify Information Queue

> Improper output encoding in IBM Security Verify Information Queue allows users to perform unauthorized activities.

- **Severity:** Low 3.1 (`CVSS:3.0/S:U/PR:N/C:N/UI:R/A:N/AV:N/I:L/AC:H/RL:O/E:U/RC:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 11 Feb 2021
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-gjr3-77hh-vh3q

## What is CVE-2021-20405?

CVE-2021-20405 is a low-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in IBM Security Verify Information Queue, published on 11 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

IBM Security Verify Information Queue 1.0.6 and 1.0.7 could allow a user to perform unauthorized activities due to improper encoding of output. IBM X-Force ID: 196183.

Weakness: CWE-116 (Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-20405?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Ibm Security Verify Information Queue.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-20405?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-20405 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-20405 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-20405 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in IBM Security Verify Information Queue

- [CVE-2021-20411](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20411/): Auth bypass in Security Verify Information Queue (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2021-20408](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20408/): Information disclosure in Security Verify Information Queue (high 7.1)
- [CVE-2022-35287](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-35287/): Hardcoded credentials in Security Verify Information Queue (medium 6.8)
- [CVE-2024-45669](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-45669/): IBM Security Verify Information Queue denial of service (medium 6.5)
- [CVE-2022-35285](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-35285/): Cross-site request forgery in Security Verify Information Queue (medium 6.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-20405 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-20405 is a low-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in IBM Security Verify Information Queue, published on 11 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-20405 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: IBM Security Verify Information Queue. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20405/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20405/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-20405
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-20405
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-20405

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20405/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.